Page 4 of Yours, For Now

Jake chuckled. "Beware, Gabe. Coffee's hot."

"Har har." I turned the mug on the wooden surface until I could grab it from its handle. "Is the coffee machine not working properly, or what?"

"Maybe the lack of manual labor is making your skin too soft?"

I didn't bother answering. I rolled my eyes and took a deep breath, filling my lungs with the smell of high quality beans. "Thanks again."

Jake nodded and took a sip of his own drink. "So. Is Tío Raúl coming to this unexpected meeting today?"

"Yeah. He's also very curious about what Lina wants to discuss."

"So you have no idea what that's about?"

Jake, almost like a second son to my parents and the COO to my VP role, knew all the intricacies of our company. His question didn't shock me; I expected him to want to know.

I shook my head. "Nope. And you know what's the most intriguing thing? She's coming alone. No uncle or dad, that I could gather."

He ran his fingers through his red-blond beard. "Huh. I heard through the grapevine that they might be trying to restructure the company."

"Itold you that, you jackass."

Jake laughed. "Right. After you analyzed their business in preparation for the meeting. But what if she'd like to discuss an acquisition? It could be something to help convince the board to make you CEO when your dad retires in a year."

"I don't know. I don't think that's it." I checked my watch. It would be another hour until the meeting. The idea that I'd be seeing Lina soon took a few detours in my brain, one road where I wanted to know what she planned for the meeting, and another where I was excited to see her again so soon after the charity event. "My dad tried to buy them out a few years ago and they said no. Unless things have changed radically, I don't think that's it."

A frown appeared on my best friend's face. "Are you going to suggest it again, though? With all their experience in running commercial-public infrastructure deals, it could be a great asset to the portfolio. It would strengthen that branch of the Group."

My stomach bubbled nervously at the idea that Lina's proposal could solve this little problem of mine; that it could offer something to present to the Board and help me prove that I have what it takes to become the new CEO once my dad retires.

I bit the inside of my lips. "We'll see. I'll hear what she has to say, then I'll consult with Dad, you, and Violeta."

As usual, a soft blush appeared on Jake's white face at the mention of my sister and, as usual, I ignored it.

"Sounds good," he said. "We have some time until we figure out the best plan."

The glass walls separating my office from the rest of the space were clear— I could make them opaque at the push of a button— and I watched as a couple of people walked by.

"But not too much time." I drank more of my coffee. "I need to present a strong plan, and an even stronger initiative. I need to focus on this; being the CEO's son won't be enough to get appointed as his replacement, and you know that."

"Of course. And you know you can count on me." Jake smiled. "I want you to be the new boss."

We all did— my parents, sister, Jake and I. It would take every minute of the year ahead of me, to plan and prepare the vision I wanted to share with the board, and manage to do so on top of my current responsibilities. If successful, they might confirm me as CEO. That would only be the start of an even busier period, working extra hard to figure out the transition with my dad; likely another year to fully settle in my new role. Only after that would I allow myself a break, maybe two weeks on a private beach somewhere, wearing nothing but shorts and sleeping under the shade of palm trees, before I came right back to it. But until then, work would be all I knew.

"And I want you to replace me as VP of Operations," I added. "Working together on this will help make the transition easier for you, too."

"As long as my promotion isn't nepotism, either."

"C'mon. You know you're here because you earned it, too." I smiled, and hoped it contained the long story of how we'd all made it here, at the helm of an international conglomerate. "You helped us build all of this."

He raised an eyebrow. "And I'm also your best friend."

"That you are. Will you be my best man, too?"

That made him laugh again. "Since when are you getting married?"

"Don't have a bride yet, but I thought I'd book you in advance." I grinned. "I'll probably start looking into that in three to four years, if you want to put it on your calendar."

"Asshole." His blush deepened, a sign he may fight it, but he still liked all our reassurances, even twenty five years later. "You don't even have a girlfriend, do you?"